The prevalence and ease of Y-DNA testing for genetic genealogy means a woman who wants to participate has to find a brother or other male relative (linked through male lines) who'll take a test. But the following developments increase the DNA testing options for women:

• A DNA Fingerprint test from DNA Consulting <www.dnaconsultants.com> analyzes 16 autosomal genetic markers and compares them to a public database containing DNA profiles of people from 180 populations around the world. (The San Diego Police Department developed the database, called OmniPop, with DNA from volunteers.) You'll get a list of the top 10 populations where your genetic profile has a high occurrence. “Your results might be, for example, ‘Portuguese, likely Sephardic Jewish, with American Indian admixture’” says company owner Donald Yates.